HUNDREDS of angry bus users are expected to be stranded this weekend when plans to scrap several Worcester services take effect.

Under the county council bus and information strategy, nearly all city services will be affected.

More than 100 families signed petitions in St Peter's ward earlier this year, after hearing the number 27 bus - from Battenhall to the city centre via London Road - would be scrapped.

In spite of their protest, the service will still be axed on Sunday - along with the number 21 Worcester to Green Lane service.

Several other routes - including the number 24 Worcester to Lower Wick and the 22 and 22A Worcester to Droitwich route - will have a reduced service from Sunday and alternative services are being implemented.

City councillor and former Mayor, Robert Rowden, said he wrote to First - which operates the number 27 service - expressing concerns but said he had heard nothing.

"My feeling is there's no point in elderly people getting bus passes if there are no buses for them to go on," he said.

"I feel something needs to be done and the bus company is playing its cards too close to its chest.

" It ought to be talking to people and listening to them."

Residents in the neighbouring Nunnery ward are also angry about cuts to the 29A and 30A service and the cancelling of the 30 service from the city centre to Ronkswood and Red Hill.

"I think it's a disgrace. We're being told to think green and leave our cars at home and use public transport but how can we when we have not got a bus service," said councillor Mike Layland, who represents the Nunnery ward.

He said he would be raising the matter at the city council's next meeting.

The changes to services are part of a cost-cutting exercise by Worcestershire County Council which will stop funding some subsidised routes.

This has left bus companies to decide whether they wish to foot the bill themselves or stop the service.

However, the council is considering widening its flexi-link services, which have a start and finish point, with passengers arranging convenient pick-up points in advance.

First spokesman Dawid Maciejewski said many of the changes resulted in an improved city bus service, with alternative routes being implemented.

"We've got to ensure the public still get a professional service in difficult times.We're making changes to our commercial services as a direct result of the council changes.

"We felt we can improve what we do in the Worcester area by making changes - for instance we've now got cross-city routes which we didn't have before."

With effect from Sunday, April 18, First will be revising all Worcester city service times, routes and service numbers as follows:

Service 21: City centre/Green Lane Withdrawn and replaced by new Service 32.

Service 24: City centre/Lower Wick

Service to run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday.

Service 26: Henwick Park/city centre. Withdrawn and replaced by new Service 31.

Services 26A/27/27A/48: City centre/Henwick Grove/Battenhall. Withdrawn.

Service 28: County Hall /city centre. Times revised -every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday.

Services 29A/30/30A: City centre/ Ronkswood /Red Hill. Withdrawn.

Service 31: Henwick Park/city centre/hospital/Warndon. New service will run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday providing an improved cross-city link.

Service 32: Green Lane/city centre / St Peters. New service will run every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday providing an improved cross-city link.

Service 33: Dines Green/city centre/Tolladine/Warndon. The new extended service will run every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday providing an improved cross-city link.

Services 34/3B/35C: City centre/ Warndon. Withdrawn.

Service 35: City centre/Warndon

Service will run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday.

Services 36/37/38: City centre/ Warndon circular. Routes and timetable revised. Buses will now run to and from Warndon via Tunnel Hill, instead of Tolladine and Service 36 will be re-numbered 37.

Services 41/43: City centre/Dines Green/city centre/hospital/Warndon

Withdrawn. Improved replacement services 31/33/37/38.

Travel and fares information is available from First's customer services team on telephone 01905 359393 or the National TraveLine on 0870 6082608.